Curtis Mayfield’s Move On Up is one of my absolute favorite songs – full of good-feel vibes and lightness. Naturally, I’m always on the lookout for exciting cover versions. 

This one comes from Accra, Ghana: in 1975, unknown studio musicians recorded a sampler for the Essiebons label, packed with Black music classics – from Barry White’s I’m Gonna Love You Just a Little Bit More Baby to Isaac Hayes’ Shaft, Ike & Tina Turner’s Nutbush City Limits, and of course Curtis Mayfield’s Move On Up.

The version grooves beautifully raw and direct – and the liner notes capture it perfectly:

THIS is a Party Rocker!, in a non-stop collection of best sellers à la Black Music. Listen to it and you will be convinced that black is beautiful, black is exciting, black is virile, black is life, black is an enigma, black is...... simply wonderful! This is BLACK MAGIC in Action! The disc is all excitement and vigour, performed with the feeling that is black. This 'Black Magic' really works, and here you have it in action!

And that’s exactly it: pure energy, vibrant, full of African soul. Move On Up from Ghana – pure Black Magic Cover Love!